Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter
A HIGH alert has been issued to stakeholders in Manicaland, urging them to intensify veld fire prevention activities as six districts have been classified as extremely vulnerable to uncontrolled fires.
The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has flagged Nyanga, Mutasa, Makoni, Mutare, Chipinge, and Chimanimani districts, due to their location on the highveld, which is prone to rapid fire outbreaks and spread.
The districts, which comprise the majority of the province, are also home to valuable timber plantations, including pine, eucalyptus, and wattle, as well as estates cultivating tea, avocados, coffee, and other crops.
Chimanimani and Nyanga are also home to national parks, which harbour diverse flora and fauna.
The EMA warning serves as a timely reminder for stakeholders, including traditional leaders, farmers, and conservationists, to exercise extreme caution and take proactive measures to prevent veld fires in these high-risk areas.
In a weekly update, EMA Education and Publicity Manager, Ms Amkela Sidange, said since the onset of the fire restriction period, the country has lost 70 000 hectares as compared to 393 138 hectares lost the same period last year.
“For 2025, the country is going into the restriction period against a veld fire risk prediction of medium-to-high risk, covering 70 percent of the country – a slight decrease from 73 percent in 2024. The provinces that are highly exposed to the veld fires are along the highveld areas of Manicaland, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West and Midlands.
“The districts that fall in extreme risk are Nyanga, Mutasa, Makoni, Mutare,
Chipinge, Chimanimani, Marondera, Chikomba, Hwedza, Murehwa, Zvimba, Hurungwe, Mazowe, Muzarabani, Chirumhanzu and Gweru. Since the onset of the 2025 veld fire restriction period, the country has recorded 216 veld fire incidences affecting 71 119 hectares and no major fires were recorded before this period except for insignificant patches mostly attributed to fireguard clearing and in some instances land preparation.
“By the same date last year, the country had lost 393 138ha from 1 620 veld fire
incidences. The comparative reduction in veld fires to date in 2025 could be attributed to increased resident moisture and green vegetation associated with significant rains received around April. However, with reduced moisture and gradual increase in temperatures in the coming months, vulnerability to veld fires would proportionally increase hence the country should remain on high alert to veld fires.
“The most affected land use systems include the resettlement areas of A1 and A2 (64,29) percent, followed by Safari areas (20,79) percent and communal lands (6,36) percent. EMA will continue to continue to monitor fire incidences using a satellite near real time technology, awareness raising, field inspections, and prosecution,” she said.
Environmentalist, Mr Never Bonde, said measures must be put in place to address veld fires which is threatening the viability of the timber sector.
He called upon traditional leaders to lead their communities in activities that discourage veld fires.
“Last year, we saw unprecedented fires in Manicaland, particularly in Nyanga and
Mutasa districts, and this should not be repeated again this year. Most veld fires are started by community members, and traditional leaders should play a leading role in urging their subjects against starting uncontrolled fires.
“Timber is the mainstay of Manicaland, but for the past few years, it has come under sustained attacks from veld fires. If timber estates are consumed by fire, it means the economic activities are disrupted and people lose jobs. Deterrent measures must be taken against offenders so that a strong message is sent,” he said.
